Towing hitch/Coupler Q's -->Aus

[kmclemore]

I can't believe you guys actually found a way to integrate Lockheed/Girling hydraulics into a trailer! That looks like a master cylinder off of an old Triumph 2000.

[Lease]

Ouch! Analogies to Brit cars; now that hurts.

It is interesting how hitches and towing rigs are approached in various regions. I noticed the last time that I was in Europe that styling was finding its way into this area.

In-so-far as design is concerned, nothing has really changed here in the last 30 years. Hitsches are of a functional type, with exposed master cylinder, instead of the nifty cowled arrangement on the Titan hitch for example. Similarly, the builders and the regulators have but one credo; strength, strength, strength. This results in trailers that are way overbuilt, and a perception that light trailers are dangerous. I always get a chuckle when I see these things for example:





The trailer must weigh more than the boat!

As far as the distributor using compliant trailers, my understanding was that he does for new boats. I wonder though, if boats destined for the West are sent directly from the US to Fremantle? Would make sense since transcontinental transport of a Mac is going to cost something approaching 10 grand.

[Phillip]

To clarify the situation re imported Trailers, you should look at and read carefully the Vehicle Import Approval.
This approval is conditional on the trailer being modified to the requirements of the National Standard for Vehicle Saftey (ADR), and this is a Federal Act, NOT a State.
If anyone has an argument with this, then send a Fax to Dept of Transport & Regional Services, (2) 6274 6013, and ask for clarification, specifically on the US Coupler
If the trailer is not modified, then it WILL be destroyed or exported.

2 letters came out last year, warning of consequences for 'dicking with the system'
"It is an offence under section 14 of the act to supply a vehicle to the market which is non standard and the Max penalty is $13,200 for individuals and $132,000 for corporations for each offence".
Now another little hint should you apply for an unregisterest Vehicle Permit to move the trailer from the Warf to where-ever.......be careful how you complete the form. It may ask if the vehicle complies with Transport Operations....(Vehicle Standards and Saftey) Reg 1999. The Mac Trailer does not, and when you sign the Certifications on this form your are commiting an offence.

Mac Trailers are not the main offenders (as i unerstand it). It is imported caravans, but Mac trailers are going to get caught up in it.

3 different industry groups have made complaints to the Dept

I can't for the life of me understand why people want to pork the system. The costs of doing the 'right thing' does not exceed $700.

Insurance is another issue. If your vehicle (trailer/caravan) does not comply to ADR's then the cover for all damage and Pers Liability is null and void in event of a claim, on both the towing vehicle and the trailer/caravan. If you disagree, then write your insurance company, present the facts and ask the question.

The solution is simple
1. locate the engineers certification allowing a US 2" coupler to be used in Australia, and present it to the Dept, (and us of course) or
2. change the coupler to the Australian version.

Australians have a nice little number going here.
You can buy a nice Mac, or Caravan, or Bayliner 2355, or whatever, at a reasonable price and have a lot of enjoyment.
All that is asked of you is to comply with the Law, and private individuals try to get around it, and risk the whole system being changed.

If you think Australian manufacturers arn't getting jack of all these imports (and there are 1,000's & 1,000's of them) then think again. When the next Parlimentary Committee comes up on the matter, just believe they will have their Lobby'st and reps there, seeking any reason to restrict these imports.
So lets just use some common sence eh!!.

And if anyone does have access to the Engineers Certification allowing USA 2" couple to be used here, then lets have it, as that USA couple is far superior to ours.

Sorry for the rant guys.
Cheers
Phillip

[The Mutt]

The coupling that Lease shows looks like a 2000kg rated unit, if I'm right there isn't much of a safety overhead?

Glenn

[WestonW]

Hi all,
Just got my trailer registered in NT (Darwin). I replaced the A-60 hitch with the A-75, which meets the Australian Standards .I have a copy of the Amdel tests done in South Australia. It also is adjustable for ball size. Which we don’t really need. The Department of Infrastructure in Canberra has sent me a copy of the info which states ball size 50mm plus or minus 1mm. As we all know 2 inch is 50.8 mm. This means it the 2 inch hitch is OK.

[Phillip]

I have been thinking about your change Weston, and put it to my trailer guy, who went to who-ever applies the regs.

It is the A-60 coupling that we need the Tests (like Amdel) done on, as in all the Mac Trailers I have seen they have the A-60 on then, and that is illegal here, until they have the tests done.
That is why I go to the Aussie coupling....it is quick, easy and cheap to install.
I would guess that is why you changed to the A-75....it had the tests done and was certified.

I guess everyone is hanging-off waiting for someone else to get the A-60 tested/certified.

I was advised 18 months back....get the A-60 tested.....it will pass....I tried to get 3 others to share the costs....they went quiet.....so thought to myself.....stuff it....If I pay to get it done, everyone else will jump on the bandwagon for free....so didn't do it.

Further advice to me....keep checking....one day a bulk importer may get the A-60 certified to 2,000kg, then you can use that. Things can change quickly.

Also told
A-60 rated up to around 2,700kg
A75 rated up to around 3,400kg, but the Amdel test only specified 2,000kg

Pretty sure I have all facts written down correctly.
Thanks for all your info.
Cheers
Phillip

[Kelly Hanson East]

Im not sure this will help the legal aspects of this, but I dont think 30 thou of 'slack' on a ball will make any difference in function or safety. I guess you could argue that eventually this will machine open the coupler as it slops around more, but for a casual, weekender user Im sure this action would take so long as to be irrelevant.

Dont let anyone scare you with the scenario that an undersized ball will pop off - the ball is held in place from below with the action of a cam which would clamp a ball a good 3/4 inch smaller in size, when adjusted correctly.

[Boblee]

KHE
It has nothing to do with safety as such, it is to do with laws and beaurocrats who are only to happy to use protectionist laws to help some local suppliers.
Why we ever changed to metric has got me completely tossed, 40 yrs later and kids are still happy to use both and even the baby boomers who were only kids when it happened still ask for eg timber in 3m of 4x2" or vice versa even though they mean 10' of 100x50? or something like that?

[The Mutt]

We were at a customers last Thursday, he is importing Bayliner 175 runabouts from the US, I asked him how he is getting the US hitch passed for AU regs, he recons he won't do anything until the blue slip guy stops passing them.

He won't tell me who he is using .... Bugger.

Glenn